Hotels we recommend

3* Best Western Space Shuttle Inn 4* Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach

All of our featured hotels

One of those rare places where alluring natural beauty melds with cutting-edge technology, Cocoa Beach is the perfect destination for those seeking the best of sea and space. Here, you can see everything from an eagle soaring across a brilliant blue sky to the silver bullet of a space shuttle streaking into orbit.

One of the more affordable vacation havens, the choices Cocoa Beach offers are endless. Relax on the soft sands of Cocoa Beach, go deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic or explore ancient cypress forests by airboat. Spend a peaceful evening watching the sun set on the Indian or Banana Rivers, and then head out to the exciting nightlife scene. Excellent restaurants and accommodations range from elegant to sand-in-your-shoes casual. Nearby, in Cocoa, shop in the charming boutiques of Historic Cocoa Village or one of the expansive malls, or learn about our investigations of the heavens at the planetarium or one of many other space attractions.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is situated in the middle of the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. This natural treasure is becoming known as the nation's best breeding ground for the endangered bald eagle, one of our country's most beloved symbols. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features interactive exhibits, guided bus tours, an art gallery, a rocket garden and a gift shop. The five-story IMAX theater features films with footage shot by NASA astronauts on location — in space. The more personal story of space exploration is highlighted at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and U.S. Space Camp, where visitors can view memorabilia from the original Mercury Seven and Gemini astronauts. Step on board a full-sized replica of the shuttle orbiter and get a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of NASA's Launch Status Center.

Brevard Community College's Astronaut Memorial Planetarium allows you to keep your feet on the ground but your eyes in the sky. This advanced astronomy teaching facility features the world's only tandem team of a Digistar planetarium projector and Minolta Infinium star projector.

At Port Canaveral, fish for the ocean's finest seafood from the jetty or take a trip on an exclusive cruise liner. Two of Disney Cruise Lines' new cruise ships call Port Canaveral home. Each glistening white mega-ship embarks on three- and four-day adventures with vacation packages that can include the world-famous Disney World theme parks. A bustling array of sumptuous seafood restaurants, casual taverns and even a floating tiki bar, have made this area a new dining and nightlife hotspot. Port Canaveral also offers three parks including one featuring oceanfront camping for RVs and tents.

Whether you're seeking a high-tech or a laid-back vacation experience, the Cocoa Beach area can accommodate you.